If you’re asking “Am I an introvert?”, this introvert personality test will help you see where you are on the introversion-extroversion scale. The more you know about your personality, the more comfortable you will be in the world and your own skin.

This test for introverted personality traits not only reveals if you’re an introvert, it describes the top signs of introversion – some of which will surprise you. For instance, did you know that introverts don’t think of casual acquaintances as friends? And, introverts take a long time to sort out information. They also dread returning phone calls (that’s me!).

“Introverts enjoy time alone, consider only deep relationships as friends, and feel drained after outside activities, even if they were fun” says Marti Olsen Laney, author of The Introvert & Extrovert in Love: Making It Work When Opposites Attract.

6. I like to share special occasions with just one or two people, rather than have a big celebration.

7. I tend to notice details many people don’t see.

8. If two people have just had an argument, I feel the tension in the air.

9. If I say I’ll do something, I almost always do it.

10. I feel anxious if I have a deadline or pressure.

11. I can zone out if too much is going on.

12. I like to watch an activity for awhile before joining in.

13. I form lasting relationships.

14. I don’t like to interrupt others; I don’t like to be interrupted.

15. When I take in lots of information, it takes me awhile to sort it out.

16. I don’t like overstimulating environments.

17. I sometimes have strong reactions to smells, tastes, foods, weather, and noise.

18. I am creative and/or imaginative.

19. I feel drained after social situations, even when I enjoy myself.

20. I prefer to be introduced rather than having to introduce others.

21. I often feel uncomfortable in new surroundings.

22. I can become grouchy if I’m around people or activities for too long.

23. I often dread returning phone calls.

24. I like people to come to my home, but I don’t like them to stay a long time.

25. I find my mind sometimes goes blank when I meet people or when I am asked to speak unexpectedly.

26. I talk slowly or have gaps in my words, especially if I’m tired or if I’m trying to think and speak at once.

27. I don’t think of acquaintances as close friends.

28. I feel as if I can’t show other people my ideas until they’re fully formulated.

29. Other people may surprise me by thinking I’m smarter than I am.

“Are You Introverted? A Personality Test”

Are you an introvert? The answer…

Simply add up your “true” responses. The more “trues” you have, the more introverted personality traits or introversion signs you possess…

Scoring:

20-29 “true” responses means you’re a true introvert (like me!). Only deep relationships measure up as friendships and you use them to relax. You need to mentally rest throughout the day, even after enjoyable activities. Because you will draw a blank under pressure, prepare for meetings, talks, and even parties beforehand. Accept your nature and learn to politely fend off energy-draining people.

10-19 “true” responses means you’re both introverted and extroverted. You sometimes feel torn between the desire to dance in the streets and walk alone on the beach. Notice this, so you can keep your energy consistent. You judge yourself through your thoughts and feelings, and through others, leaving you with a broad view that is sometimes difficult to straddle.

1-9 “true” responses means you’re an extrovert. You relish variety, have lots of ‘close, personal’ friends and will chat with complete strangers. Your stimulation is all external, so you talk, think, and act quickly. As you reach midlife, however, you may need to take a break from the high life to reflect, even though it goes against your nature.

Here’s what Susan Cain says about people with introverted personality traits: “Introverts may have strong social skills and enjoy parties and business meetings, but after a while wish they were home in their pajamas. They prefer to devote their social energies to close friends, colleagues, and family. They listen more than they talk, think before they speak, and often feel as if they express themselves better in writing than in conversation. They tend to dislike conflict. Many have a horror of small talk, but enjoy deep discussions.”

18 Responses to “Are You Introverted? A Personality Test”

Thanks for contributing this information about introverts! It normalizes it more for me and lends it less stigma. I need an employment change and your info has given me something more to consider. It can be tough as an introvert in cultures that glorify extroverted traits, and it gets me down sometimes. But it’s nice to know that there are others like me, and that the value of introverts is also recognized

I find most of this true, but not exactly accurate with my own “introverted personality.” I am 15 years old and a freshman in high school, I have often been asked by the people around me, or my acquaintances, if I am shy, or socially awkward. My answer is always “no” during these occasions, and I tend to respond in a manner that they find “intense, aggravated or bored with the conversation at hand.” I’ve been told that I sound aggravated or angry, this is only because of the fashion of which they’re asking me. Some of my classes contain a large number of people I don’t care to be around, not because there rude, but because of how they act in the classroom. Some of my peers in my class act as if they’ve never heard of a cell before, it genuinely bothers me that they don’t know the correct terms of the words, but I refuse to say anything about it because I never now whether they have some learning disability or something, it would be quite rude to call someone stupid for just being ignorant. At times when it is needed, I WILL speak my opinion no matter how rude it may come across, only when it is necessary I will do this. My view about it is if my opinion is not needed in a situation I will not give it. I do not see any reason to be rude if I don’t have to be.

INTERESTING READ. I AM CURIOUS TO KNOW MORE. FOR EXAMPLE CAN BEING INTROVERTED HAVE ANY SEVERE SIDE AFFECTS PERSONALITY WISE? SOME OF MINE ARE HATERED,DISTRUST,ANGER,PARANOIA, THE LIST GOES ON AND ON. ALSO WHAT ABOUT BEING OBSESED WITH THINGS,FOR EXAMPLE I THOUGHT I WAS JUST REALLY INTO HISTORY IN GENERAL AND MACHINES, CARS TRUCKS TRACTORS ANYTHING THAT FLIES FLOATS OR ROLLS REALLY.THEN I KINDA FOUND MYSELF BEING MORE MAD OR DISAPOINTED THAN CURIOUSE ABOUT THOSE THINGS. I FEEL AS THOUGH I AM RAMBLING SO I WILL STOP. IF YOU HAVE A FEW AND WOULD BE WILLING TO WRITE BACK I WOULD APRECIATE IT. I HAVE SOUGHT HELP TO NO AVAIL. THANKS.

Laurie, I have always been an introvert. I too can speak to groups, tutor students, and even sing in front of large groups of people in a professional setting (450-1000+). I scored 27/29, but I understand the other 2 questions better after reading them twice. I can say that I scored a perfect 29/29. I am a complex and deep abstract thinker. I prefer technical research or hands on/applied work like a systems and business analyst or systems technician job. I am lookimg into MIS, electronics, robotics, telecom wiring, electrician, and even product or project manager types of roles. I detest working in retail, general sales, help desk or CSR jobs! Our economy is so service oriented, and I would like to be self-employed and free to live my life the way I want. I have withdrawn from many friends and family because I am tired of trying to conform to their standards or “wishes/hopes” for my life and how I REALLY should be with them, others and professionally. My wife is a 60/40 E to I personality and is much more social than I am. We have more in common than we thought when we first met. We are more similar than we are different. We balance each other out fairly well. I too have become exponentially more introverted as I have gotten older over the years. I am in my mid 40s. I really need to buy and read these books so that I can find a proper paying and more satisfying job. Business and IT consulting has too much flux and isn’t steady enough for me. I have been forced to take odd jobs and short term contracts in the past. I then feel miserable when they end. Perhaps you can help me to find more resources that will make my job and career search more gainful, stable, satisfying and rewarding. I am also looking for more balance and a better quality of life and more peace of mind! TK

I also wanted to add that I am brazen and a military veteran. I try to be honest and practical. I am a bit of a loner and prefer to tell people how things are without exaggerating my thoughts, feelings or circumstances. I do try to reach for more and more analogies and explanations when people don’t “get” or understand me. I think a lot faster than I can speak to others so I do try to pause and collect my thoughts more. I do take copious notes, write in journals and rehearse speeches and performances in my mind before doing them live and in public. TK

Im glad I found this article. I never considered that I was an introvert. I always equated introvert to people who are completely quiet and just sit in a corner of a room. I too have become more introverted with age. This article has given me a clearer direction in my job search. Please continue writing about which careers are best suited for introverts.

Wow! Have you ever had anyone score 29 out of 29? I’m generally cautious of these kinds of tests, but this one describes me inside and out. I would add a second part to number 24 “I like to visit people, but I don’t like to stay very long.”

I love people, but can’t handle too much for too long. The extroverted people in my life think that means I don’t like people, but I don’t agree with them. I just don’t know how to convince them otherwise (maybe I don’t need to). I also feel like I have something of value to offer the world, but am unable to because I can’t compete with a world that “can’t stop talking”.

I’ll be interested to read your book. It would be wonderful to accept that I’m “normal” and not defective as society tells me. It would be even more wonderful if society could accept that people with introverted traits are normal.

It’s difficult for me to tell you what job you’d be happy at, because I don’t know you at all! Better for you to do some research, and perhaps pick up temporary contract positions until you figure out what job you want to work at permanently. The article above has a link to a book called 200 Jobs for Introverts, which could help you in your journey!

Thank you for commenting, and sharing your journey! It sounds like you’re stepping into a new stage in life, and you’re learning how to accept yourself for who you are. That’s wonderful, and it will bring you peace and a whole new outlook on your life.

If you want to share your thoughts on the book Quiet, I’d love to hear them. I’m getting more introverted as I get older, too…the only difference between the old me and the young me is that accept myself much more readily now, because I know more about introverted personality traits!

I’m almost 60. I knew I was an introvert but I think I’ve gotten more introverted as I get older. I really was beginning to think there was something wrong with me. Someone on FB suggested the Quiet book. Which led me to dig deeper and I googled the subject, found your test and tested 26 out of 29. I am beginning to understand myself and why I feel the way I do. THANK YOU

It sounds like you’re both introverted and extroverted — and I think that’s normal for many of us. I’m the same way: when I take the introvert test, I score very high on the introversion scale. Yet, people think I’m extroverted because I am comfortable talking in groups, teaching, and making conversation with all types of people.

So yes, I think you can be both introverted and extroverted. The primary thing is where you get your energy: are you drained by spending time with people? Then make sure you spend enough time alone, so you can stay energized and happy!

I hope this helps, and am glad you’re here. May you have a wonderful year.

I got as much as 26 true answers for the ‘introvert/extrovert’ questionnaire, which means that I’m way too introvert. But all these years, I’ve held many positions of leadership, been an orator, stage performer and above all, I’m quite an outspoken person. People often assess that I’m extremely extrovert..And I’ve always been in extreme doubt about the matter.. I believe that I have the extremities of both ‘introvert’, and ‘extrovert’? Could you please help me have a better understanding of my personality.. Thanks

There is nothing wrong with you! You’re just an introvert, and you get energy by being by yourself. It takes a long time for us introverts to realize that we’re normal, doesn’t it

That’s a great question – what’s the difference between a loner and an introvert? I’d say not much. The word “loner” has a bit of a negative connotation, I think. It seems reserved for people who don’t have social skills or who just want to be alone all the time. Or maybe it’s a romantic word for some people, like the Lone Ranger!

Ultimately, I think loners and introverts are the same. I’m a loner and an introvert. Introvert is a more politically correct term – maybe that’s the difference.

Hi, I scored an 18 but some of the questions were either middle ground or hard to relate to/understand etc. Those are question numbers 10, 12, 13, 16, 28 & 29.

With regards to question 16; A “overly stimulating environment” could be something like a museum or acqarium, and not just like an amusement park or a Red Sox Game at Fenway Park, as one might assume. In the case of a museum, I am there for hours until they kick me out. A Red Sox game…I dread the thought entirely of going at all. However I did enjoy taking the quiz, thanks for posting it.

I came here doing a search for “famous introverts.” I wanted to see some well known introverts out there, so I’d feel better about myself. It was a confirmation that there is nothing wrong with me.

Thank God! I had never taken a test about my personality until today when i discovered that i am an introvert because i scored 27/29. Most of the questions described me directly. Its amazing! Can you please shade more light about people of this personality? I would like to discover myself even the more. Am in Kenya- Africa.

I loved your response to the Introvert test and I loved your curiosity about your personality. I am a strong Introvert too. I am also a therapist. When I was a teenager my Mom recommended this personality test that she learned about from her teaching job. It is called the “Myers-Briggs” test. It is actually used by many “Fortune 500″ companies to help them know which personality type is best for their job position. I use it for my therapy clients. It measures Introversion and three other traits. I felt SO validated when I took the test and read my results (Extremely accurate!). It is by far the best personality test out there. (my personality type is called an INFJ) You can find the test for free on the internet. Just type in “Free Myers-Briggs test.” Here is a link to one of the best free tests. It will give you free results too.http://www.16personalities.com/personality-types The best book to buy with the test and detailed results is called “Please Understand Me 2″ by David Keirsey. I hope the test results are helpful and validating to you!